Louis van Gaal admits Manchester United might sign Victor Valdes, after inviting the goalkeeper to train with his first team squad.
The Spanish international is currently recovering from the serious knee injury he picked up in March, after which he was widely tipped to join Liverpool where he was lined up to provide competition for the under-fire Simon Mignolet. And whilst this, in theory, is still a possibility, it was revealed last week that he had been given the opportunity to step up his recuperation at United.
Van Gaal, of course, knows Valdes well from their time at Barcelona together. The Dutch coach, who succeeded the sacked David Moyes at Old Trafford in the summer, has in the past given similar opportunities to players he has worked with previously, yet even so, it would be something of a surprise if he would allow it if the player in question was to then join a rival club.
“I have done it already with a lot of players,” he said. “I have a relationship with a lot of players. I gave Ronald de Boer or Edgar Davids rehabilitation possibility or training possibility when they needed that, so he is one of these players. Robin van Persie also when he played for me in the Dutch squad last year, I allowed him to come to our medical department to get him fit for the World Cup.”
Valdes is available on a free transfer after leaving Barca in the summer, following a hugely successful spell with his hometown club in which he won six league titles and three UEFA Champions League. Were he to join United he would provide competition for compatriot David de Gea, and asked if this was likely, van Gaal admitted: “Manchester United always have their eyes open,”
If Valdes joins United, it would likely spell the end of Anders Lindegaard’s time in Manchester. The Denmark international has proved to be an able deputy when called upon, and even kept de Gea out of the side for a spell during the former Atletico Madrid’s youngster’s debut season, but he would unlikely be receptive to the idea of falling to third choice in van Gaal’s pecking order.
If Valdes joins United, could be even oust de Gea from the starting XI? Let us know what you think by joining in the discussion below.
